Perth Choir Helps Ex-Prisoners Find Their Voice Again

Every Tuesday evening in Perth's north, dozens of voices join together to sing Amazing Grace. But this isn't just any choir practice.

The Second Chance Choir brings together people who've survived prison, addiction, and trauma. Founder Jade Lewis started the group in 2022 after working with women in prison, where she saw people who had "lost their voice."

Lewis knows what that feels like. She overcame her own struggles with trauma and addiction before dedicating herself to helping others. "Somebody helped me when I was in my brokenness, then perhaps I should be helping them in their brokenness," she said.

The choir welcomes everyone, regardless of background or faith. Members sing together in a supportive space where nobody judges their past. "They don't just find their voice, they find their song," Lewis explained.

Ryan Brownhill joined after battling amphetamine addiction from age 15 to 25. "My life was lacking hope and I didn't know a way out," he said. The choir gave him community and purpose after getting clean.

Valeria Mazza's story shows the choir's transformative power. After two decades of drug addiction and four prison sentences, she lost custody of her three children. The first three times she left prison, she returned to the same destructive patterns.

But her fourth release was different. Lewis and other choir members surrounded her with 24/7 support. Instead of turning to drugs during tough moments, Mazza could call women who believed in her. Today, she's reunited with her kids and works as a registered nurse.

Jake Baker found something unexpected in the choir: a different way to be a man. "Instead of trying to have that bravado up, you can just sing at the top of your lungs," he said. The choir creates space for vulnerability and healing.

Why This Inspires

The Second Chance Choir proves that community support can break cycles of incarceration and addiction. Unlike programs that simply manage behavior, the choir offers something deeper: belonging, dignity, and hope.

The group has performed at Christmas concerts in Perth's CBD and community events throughout the city. New members join regularly, each bringing their own story of resilience.

Lewis wants to see more initiatives like this across Western Australia. "A choir actually provides a pathway where people can find hope, dignity and community," she said.

Mazza has a message for anyone struggling: "Don't give up, just keep trying. Put one foot in front of the other because everyone deserves a second chance."